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            TBlend
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Please read this file carefully
before start using the software

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Contents:
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1. System Requirements
2. Installation
3. Component description
4. Contact Information

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1. System Requirements
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- a CPU with 200 Mhz or higher
- 32 Mb or RAM
- Microsoft(r) Windows 2000 (tm) installed
- Borland/Inprise Delphi 5 installed
  You can try to install the component on Delphi 2,3,4  or
  C++ Builder manually, but using with Delphi 5 is checked.

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2. Installation
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- Unzip TBlend.zip in temporary folder.
- Copy Blend.pas and Blend.dcr to [Delphi]\Lib forlder where
  [Delphi] is a Delphi Installation path
- Run Delphi, select menu Component|Install Component
- Click 'Browse' Button to select Unit File Name
  In Dialog Box select the Blend.pas file in [Delphi]\Lib folder
  (Example: C:\Program Files\Borland\Delphi5\lib\Blend.pas) where
  you place the unzipped files.
- Click Open button, then click OK button and in new 'Package'
  window press Compile and Install(if needed).
- Installation complete. TBlend was added to Win32 Tab of Component Pallete.

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3. Component Description
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Properties:

Active: Boolean - Specifies activity of a component, when set to true,
                  TBlend is active.

DesignActive: Boolean - Same as Active, but allows to see the form with
                  all ajustiments in design mode. (DesignTime only)

BlendMode: TBlendMode - Depends on meaning:
 bmLWA_ALPHA    - The form has alpha-blend effect
 bmLWA_COLORKEY - The form has transparent areas (see TransparentColor)
 bmBoth         - The form is the carrier of both meanings, bmLWA_ALPHA
                  and bmLWA_COLORKEY.

Alpha: Byte     - Specifes level of transparency(0 - higher,  the  form
                  is not visible,  255 - lower, form looks like normal)
                  This property is used when BlendMode is  bmLWA_ALPHA,
                  bmBoth.

TransparentColor: TColor - Color of transparent area of form.
                  If you would like to make transparent areas or window
                  with  curve  border,  you  should  specify the color,
                  all pixels belonging to form with color like Transpa-
                  rentColor  will  be  transparent and  display that is
                  under the form.  This property is used when BlendMode
                  is bmLWA_COLORKEY or bmBoth. !Warning! Not all colors
                  are  working  correct with this property. I recommend
                  use clBlack or clPurple to describe the  Transparent-
                  Color,  you need also use this colors in your form to
                  specify the transparent area.

Procedures:

procedure ShowWindow(Show: Boolean);
                  - Replacement to usual functions Show and Close. All-
                  ows to show, if parameter Show=True,  or to hide, at
                  Show=False  window  with  use  of  transparent layer
                  effect,  similarly  to occurrence of the pop-up menu
                  in Windows 2000.

Tip: Run Project1.dpr in zip-file(Demo\Project1.dpr) to view all prop-
     erties and functions in work.

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4. Contact Information
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If You would like to contact with author or have some improvements
of TBlend component, send me e-mail to:
oleg_tg@mail.ru
You can write on english or russian langunage.


